Leadership Tips for Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. However, for many businesses it can also be the most stressful. Between having to deal with clients’ last minute requests and finding a suitable location for the office Christmas party, the festive period is certainly not without its challenges. 

Here are some leadership lessons of Christmas to help managers and leaders thrive this festive season:

Closing for Christmas

During the festive season, we all know it can be difficult to keep track of the ever-mounting commitments placed within our professional and personal calendars. Nonetheless, we must ensure all members of our working teams (and our clients of course) are aware of the exact dates our businesses will be closing their doors over the Christmas period. To reduce any unnecessary stress, confusion, or ambiguity, ensure employees synchronise their out-of-office emails and clearly signpost alternative points of contact, so any urgent enquires can be dealt with in a timely manner.

Workplace burnout

Whilst we may wish to spread festive cheer it’s important that we also acknowledge that during the Christmas period there is also stress, loneliness, depression and burnout. We need to be mindful of this as it can all be exacerbated with mounting pressure in the build up to Christmas. Remember: professional demands must not exceed one’s personal capacity.

Inclusive for EVERYONE

In getting caught up in our festive traditions, we can quickly (and often unintentionally) forget about those around us who may not celebrate the festive season. With that in mind, it’s important we attempt to make any Christmas-related activities as inclusive as possible and consider how the spirit of the festive season can be conveyed in a manner which sensitively considers the beliefs and traditions of our culturally diverse team members. After all, Christmas is the season for bringing people together.

A season of (unwanted) surprises

If events such as COVID-19, the energy crisis and the current Ukraine war have taught us anything, it’s that we should always be prepared for the unexpected. With this message in mind, it’s important we take time to assess our organisation’s contingency planning capabilities and consider ways in which we may be able to enhance our adaptable aptitude, should any unwanted delays emerge in the run up to Christmas. In the current climate, this may extend to pre-empting any potential supply chain issues which could impact on distribution of key goods and services.

A time for giving

Remember Christmas is the season of generosity. Now more than ever it’s pivotal that we appropriately reward our employees for their hard work during what will undoubtedly be a hectic and tumultuous period for many businesses. Whilst opportunities for Christmas bonuses may perhaps be limited, what should be given in abundance are displays of gratitude (no matter how big or small). What matters most at this time of year is generosity of spirit, so ensure you give your time, kindness, and appreciation to all those you work with.

Loneliness at Christmas

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, one in four adults have attested to struggling with feelings of loneliness. This is still the case and, perhaps unsurprisingly, Christmas is likely to serve as a catalyst to further fuel these feelings of isolation. As such, it’s important to ensure we regularly check in on our remote employees and let them know they have not been forgotten over the festive period. Whilst we continue to reel from Zoom fatigue, we need to make a concerted effort to facilitate opportunities for all members to come together irrespective of where they choose to work.

Spread good cheer

In an age of ever-increasing corporate social responsibility, Christmas provides the perfect opportunity to give back to those less fortunate. Additionally, at a time when the ethical sensibilities of our employees are stronger than ever, it’s important we can demonstrate our organisation’s moral fibre and take the opportunity to actively engage in activities which help give back to the wider community. Not only will it help others and boost professional image, it will also help foster gratitude amongst members of our working teams.

Recharge your batteries

Christmas reminds us of what is important to us, and nothing is arguably more important than our health and wellbeing. With this message in mind, use the festive period as an opportunity to recharge the batteries and replenish your mental and emotional fuel tank. What better time to take a step back and attempt to re-establish a healthier work-life balance going into 2023.

Reflect on the past year

Christmas is a time for reflection. Take the opportunity before you set your out-of-office email to look back on the last 12 months. What can you be particularly proud of? What do you feel you could have done differently? Most importantly, what are the key lessons you can take from a year that has been filled with adversity and uncertainty? Whilst it can be hard to extract positives from difficult events, our capacity to do so will undoubtedly help aid our personal and professional development in 2023.

Look to the future

As an extension of the previous lesson, as well as looking back we must also look forward. What do we hope to achieve in 2023 and what do we need to achieve our mission and fulfil our organisational vision? After a season of relaxation and over-indulgence, it’s understandable our staff may return to work with a degree of lethargy. Consequently, we will need to have a clear plan of action in place for 2023, one which helps our company and its people approach the new year with clear focus, momentum, and enthusiasm.

Be present

In all the excitement and chaos it can be easy to lose focus in the run-up to Christmas. Remember to cultivate a mindful approach to the holiday season. Remain in the present, focus on what you can control, and above all else, take the opportunity to come together with your colleagues and employees and embrace the spirit of the holiday season. We deserve it!

Don’t hesitate to book a demo to find out how we can help you to build better mental health in the workplace.